I am a mosaic of every people I loved

Written by: Hannah Marie Rodeo

People see reflections of my mother in me, but some say I am more like my father, others say I am a mixture of both, but if you’d ask me – I am a piece of every person I once knew and loved. 

I cook Sinigang the way my lola did, it has that asim kilig taste that everyone will love. The click-clack of chess pieces always brings back memories of my cousins, a sport they introduced to me when I was young. I think of my brother whenever I play online games, the game he taught me during the pandemic. I remember my aunt whenever I speak English because while I was growing up, I saw her as the patron saint of english. I am made of my mom’s patience while at the same time I am also made of my father’s fiery temper.  I am made of my best friend’s sweet smile, and warm hugs. I watch anime because a close friend of mine influenced me, while a cousin’s playlist sparked my love for The 1975.  I loved street foods because someone I love, loved them first. The echoes of the laugh of someone who once brightened up my day still lingers, especially at night. 

I am a mosaic of every person I’ve ever loved. 

And so are you, I am a mosaic of you. I hope that among all the people you’ve encountered and loved in this universe, I am one of those who left imprints that made you, you. I hope you find fragments of me in everything; the SkyPodcast in Spotify, the color pink, the love for animals. I hope you remember me whenever you flip a page in a book I once recommended.  I hope you remember me whenever you sing along in the lines of any Cup of Joe song. I hope you remember me whenever you have the chance to gaze upon the clouds, the waves of the sea, and when the sun dips below the horizon.  

That’s what makes life so beautiful. We carry pieces of each other. We are a collection of all the people we once knew and loved.